The Gin/Genever Museum in Hasselt, Belgium

The Gin (Genever) Museum in Hasselt made the production of gin look like a mad scientist’s chemistry experiment.

There we learned that words starting with ‘al’ or ‘el’ usually derive from Arabic. These include such words as elixir, alchemy, and the greatest result of alchemy (for me at least), alcohol.A lot of the equipment looks like it comes from the middle ages.These appear to be well-aged gins.This lab looks a tad more modern. I thought all gins were flavoured with juniper berries, but Belgians like to add an array of spices, woods, peel, herbs and other flavourings to their gin as well their beer.Okay, this is pretty modern chemistry: a gin molecule!There was some discussion of gin as a social evil...…just before we go to the tasting room.Our ticket price included a sample of gin. I had one flavoured with cassis; Al’s was flavoured with anise. I’ve always paired my ‘juniper’ gin with tonic water – maybe it’s time to get more adventurous.The Gin Museum sign.Our trip to Belgium, more or less following the Beer (and Gin!) Route.I have just learned that today is World Gin Day! If you are up to your ears in rhubarb like me, here’s a rhubarb and gin cocktail that will use some of it up.

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